Probation

This guidance was last updated on July 2012

Unless specific dispensation has been given by the appropriate central body, a probationary period must be specified for all new appointments.

Purpose of probation

The purpose of the probationary period is to ensure that a postholder taking up a new appointment is, within a reasonable period of time, able to gain a full understanding of the requirements of the post and to achieve a satisfactory level of performance. Probationary periods are  specified in letters of appointment when an employee joins the University from another organisation; and may also be appropriate where an existing employee is promoted to a higher grade, either within the current department or elsewhere within the University.

Probation for staff moving departments

Probationary periods for staff moving from one department to another should normally be used where there is any gap in employment between the two appointments, or where the new post is substantially different and at a higher grade than the one in the previous department, even if there is no gap in employment. The period of notice during such probation must be not less than one week for each complete year of continuous service.

Probationary periods are not normally appropriate when an employee who has satisfactorily completed a probationary period in one department moves, with no break in service, to a similar job at the same grade in another department.

Length of probationary periods

The probationary period for university support staff is normally

  • not less than three months and
  • not more than one year.

the probationary period for academic-related appointments may be longer than a year and should normally be

  • not less than one year (for permanent appointments), and
  • not more than five years

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